December 2013 Coffee News

-Honduran Election
-Tipping Green
-Climate Action - The Great Turning
-Holiday Flavors
-Coffee Gift Ideas

Just as our first major snowfall is making things very white outside, we received Green America's latest newsletter with the headline, "It's Getting Greener." As we slog through the darkest (and least green) months of the year here in Minnesota, it was heartening to read "we are reaching a green-economy tipping point" with sustainable and fair trade practices spreading quickly to the mainstream. We share some of the data Green America has gathered about this shift below, as well as news of Honduras' contentious elections.

Honduran Election
Honduras seems to have made it through its contentious Presidential election on November 24 without too much turmoil. Juan Orlando Hernandez, the right leaning National party candidate has been declared the winner in the 8-way race with 37% of the vote. Other candidates are claiming the election was fraudulent and there have been a few protests so election authorities have agreed to review results. But generally it seems the deeply impoverished population continues stoicly with its daily struggle against violence and poverty. We've posted several articles about the election on our Facebook page. And we'll be checking things out for ourselves over New Year's when we join Guillermo's family on the coffee farm to celebrate Guillermo's Mom's January 1 birthday. We'll report more when we return.

Tipping Green
While there doesn't seem to be much change in the tragic situation in Honduras, there is evidence that major changes are underway in the US economy. Green America documents in their "Big Green Opportunity report" indications that "we're hitting tipping points where sustainable products and services have moved from fringe alternatives to industry norms." The latest Green American issue states, "In every sector of the US economy, there is a green segment -- from food and clothing to automobiles and home construction. Across the board, those green market segments are growing faster and more robustly than their conventional counterparts." You can read all of the astounding numbers in the report summary, but the inspirational take away is that socially and environmentally responsible practices initiated by a few innovators and early adopters are now being embraced by the mainstream. In short, changes made by a few people do matter!

Climate Action - The Great Turning
PPUMC will explore this hopeful shift at its next Timely Topics session on December 15 from 6:30-8:00 pm at 22 Orlin Ave SE in Mpls, where we feature the ideas of Joanna Macy and her concept of the Great Turning. She writes,

"The Great Turning is a name for the essential adventure of our time: the shift from the industrial growth society to a life-sustaining civilization...Whether or not it is recognized by corporate-controlled media, the Great Turning is a reality. Although we cannot know yet if it will take hold in time for humans and other complex life forms to survive, we can know that it is under way. And it is gaining momentum, through the actions of countless individuals and groups around the world. To see this as the larger context of our lives clears our vision and summons our courage."

Check out Macy's recent book, "Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in without Going Crazy" co-authored with Chris Johnstone. And join us on December 15 at PPUMC. The gathering is free and open to the public.

Holiday Flavors
Our four holiday flavors have been very well received. Let us know if you'd like any for yourselves or as holiday gifts. Here are the descriptions again:

  • Drunken Uncle: Yes, we have one too….and it’s delicious! Picture yourself around the fireplace basking in the soothing tastes of Kahlua and Irish Cream laced with Gran Marnier.
  • Highlander Grog: Butterscotch creme and rich hazelnut mingle to make this rich, full bodied blend a wonderful brew for special occasions and holidays.
  • Snoodle-Doodle: A delightful marriage of Swiss chocolate, coconut, cinnamon and hazelnut swirled over our fine medium roasted Honduran coffee.
  • Wind Chill: Rich cream flavor with signature notes of vanilla, caramel, and dark chocolate has all the warmth you’ll need during those frosty winter nights.

All four are available in 8 oz packages, whole bean and ground, regular and decaf for $6.50. Use our website store to place your order. (And of course our regular flavors continue to be available during this time as well.)

Coffee Gift Ideas
Let us help simplify some of your holiday gift giving  Here are a few ideas:

-Coffee Subscription Gift certificates. Give 6 or 12 months of coffee to a friend or loved one. We'll send you (or the gift recipient) a colorful gift certificate explaining the gift. Coffee will be delivered each month for free to people in our delivery route area, or we can also mail a coffee subscription for the added cost of postage. You can pick the type of coffee or let them pick.

-Coffee mailed for you. Make it easy on yourself and let us mail your coffee gifts for only the extra cost of postage. We mail nearly 40 packages of coffee each month anyway, so it is easy to do a few more. We can even include a note from you if you wish.

-Extra coffee with your December order. And of course, the easiest option is just to order extra coffee with your December order. It never hurts to have an extra bag or two on hand for guests or for unexpected gift needs. Coffee makes a great gift for teachers or to bring along for your hosts if you are traveling. Give it alone, or pair it with a set of coffee mugs or a coffee grinder, or include it in a gift basket with other goodies.